Rotation device

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a rotational device to be used in a fluid to extract energy from a moving fluid stream or to convert energy into a motion of a fluid comprising main rotating means which is fixedly connected to a central rotary shaft of the rotational device, one or more rotational surfaces coupled rotatable about their rotational surface shafts, spaced away from the rotary shaft, and mounted on the main rotating means such that the main rotating means can execute by at least one rotational surface a rotational motion about the central rotary shaft, the rotational surface shafts extending parallel to the shaft of the main body, pivoting means or controlling means being provided to control or adjust the position of the rotational surface(s) relative to a direction of the moving fluid stream and comprising a respective adjusting sleeve ( 51, 52, 53 ) and/or an adjusting frame for each rotational surface, the adjusting sleeve and/or adjusting frame is arranged freely rotatable around the central rotary shaft (M), but it is not connected in fixed or force-fit manner to the central rotary shaft (M) radially, and is coupled to a respective rotational surface to transfer its pivoting motion to the rotational surface for adjusting the rotational surface.

The invention relates to a rotational device for use in a fluid for the purpose of extracting energy from the moving fluid stream or for the purpose of converting energy into motion of a fluid.

By means of the rotational device in accordance with the invention or similar devices energy can be extracted from a moving fluid stream which may be a gas or a liquid, e.g. wind or water, by arranging the rotational device in the fluid as is the case e.g. also with a turbine. Conversely, by setting the rotational device in motion by a separate drive, a moving fluid stream can be generated.

A known rotational device is described in WO 2007/082506 which uses two vanes, blades, or paddles for power coupling the rotational device to the fluid. The positions of the vanes are adjusted by a drive relatively to the direction of flow of the fluid. The drive comprises a pivoting gear, two intermediate gears being engaged into the pivoting gear, and two vane rotary shaft gears each being engaged into an intermediate gear. The pivoting gear is able to rotate or to pivot freely on a central shaft of the rotational device. Consequently, it is not coupled fixedly to the central rotary shaft. Two or more vanes may be adjusted only in local synchronization to each other. Thus an independent adjustment of each of the vanes in relation to the flow direction of the fluid is not possible in the pivoting drive known.

It is thus the object of the present invention to define a rotational device having a pivoting wheel drive which provides independent adjustment of the position of vanes relatively to the flowing direction of a fluid.

This object is solved by the rotational device in accordance with the invention as set forth in claim 1. Accordingly, the rotational device to be used in a fluid to extract energy from a moving fluid stream or to convert energy into a motion of a fluid features a main rotating means or main body which is fixedly connected to a central rotary shaft of the rotational device, one or more rotational surfaces or rotor blades coupled rotatable about their rotational surface shafts or rotor blade shafts spaced away from the central rotary shaft to the main rotating means such that the main rotating means can execute by at least one rotational surface or by a plurality of rotational surfaces a rotational motion about the central rotary shaft, the shafts of the rotational surfaces extending parallel to the central rotary shaft of the main rotating means and pivoting means or controlling means being provided to control or adjust the position of the rotational surface(s) relative to a direction of the moving fluid stream, the pivoting or controlling means comprising an adjusting sleeve and/or an adjusting frame for each rotational surface, the adjusting sleeve and/or adjusting frame is arranged freely rotatable about the central rotary shaft, but it not connected in fixed or force-fit manner to the central rotary shaft radially, to transfer its pivoting movement or movement to the rotational surface for adjusting the rotational surface.

The positions of several rotational surfaces or vanes can be adjusted independently from each other by means of the above mentioned pivoting means to obtain an optimal efficiency of the rotational device. The adjusting sleeves or adjusting frames may be nested freely rotatable about the central rotary shaft of the rotational device whereby a compact assembly or body of the rotational device is achieved. The compact assembly provides only a small disturbance of the flowing fluid and it avoids unbalances during the rotation of the rotational device of the invention.

The adjusting means or controller may comprise a controlling cam or a plurality of controlling cams or a controlling curve or a plurality of controlling curves fixedly coupled to the central rotary shaft of the main rotating means, and a drive coupled to the controlling cam and rotational surface(s) and converting the motion of the controlling cam or of the controlling curve into a rotational motion of the rotational surface(s) for adjusting the angle or pitch of the rotational surfaces relative to the direction of the moving fluid stream. This arrangement reliably achieves precise adjusting of position of the rotational surfaces.

As an alternative, the adjusting means may have an electric or electric motor drive coupled to the rotational surface(s) for pitching the rotational surface(s) as a function of the rotational position of the main rotating means.

The pivoting means of the invention may preferably comprise a controlling cam being fixedly coupled to the central rotating shaft of the main rotating means, and to the adjusting sleeve or the adjusting frame and transferring its motion into rotational motion of the corresponding rotational surface

The pivoting means may comprise an electrical drive that adjusts the angle or pitch of the rotational surface via the corresponding adjusting sleeve or the corresponding adjusting frame depending on the rotational position of the main rotating means.

Additionally, the pivoting means may adjust a neutral position in relation to the direction of the fluid stream by means of the adjusting sleeve or the corresponding adjusting frame of the rotational surface concerned that does not exert any torque on the main rotating means.

Preferably, a pivoting wheel or a toothed reciprocating gear is provided pivoting loosely mounted on the central rotary shaft of the rotational device, i.e. not rigidly or positively connected radially to the central rotary shaft, the pivoting wheel being coupled to the rotational surface concerned via a drive or transmission.

The pivoting means or adjusting means may comprise a controlling curve being provided on the central rotating shaft.

Preferably, several rotational surfaces and equally numbered adjusting sleeves and/or adjusting frames are provided, each rotational surface is coupled to a respective adjusting sleeve or adjusting frame.

Further, several rotational surfaces and pivoting wheels in equal number thereto may be provided, each of the rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective pivoting wheel.

Preferably, several rotational surfaces and adjusting members in equivalent number thereto are provided, each rotational surface is coupled to a respective adjusting member.

Several or multiple rotational surfaces and controlling curves in equivalent number thereto may be provided, each of the rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective one of the controlling curves.

Preferably, multiple cylindrical adjusting sleeves or adjusting frames are nested into each other and arranged about the central rotary shaft to attain a compact structure of the rotational device of the invention.

The position or pitch of the respective rotational surface to the flow direction of fluid or medium may be adjusted by means of the pivoting means or controlling means such that a relative velocity between the flowing fluid and rotational surface concerned is constant or is optimally adjusted on the rotational trajectory for obtaining an optimal torque.

A preferred rotational device of the invention is composed such that a distance or free space is maintained between an adjusting sleeve and the central rotary shaft (M) next to it, and that a distance or free space is also maintained between each two adjusting sleeves being next to each other to avoid friction and tolerance problems between adjusting sleeves and central rotary shaft continuously extending.

The adjusting frame according to a preferred embodiment of the pivoting means of the invention may comprise several rings or discs arranged parallel to each other and several bars extending between the rings or discs for achieving reduction in weight.

Preferably, the rings or discs of the adjusting frames comprise channels or radial slotted holes through which a corresponding bar or several bars of an adjusting frame arranged next or of several adjusting frames arranged next to each other extends or extend, whereby the motion of the adjusting frames relative to each other is provided.

Preferably, the nested adjusting sleeves or frames are coupled to a respective pivoting wheel that is coupled to the corresponding rotational surface via a rope, belt, or chain drive. By using, for instance, a V-belt, weight and costs can be saved in comparison to gear wheels.

The rotational device of the present invention can be used e.g. as a wind wheel, turbine, propeller, tidal power station or ship's screw.

Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are mentioned in the sub-claims.

Further advantages, advantageous embodiments and applications of the present invention are provided by the following detailed description of preferred exemplary embodiments in connection with the drawings showing:

FIG. 1 a detailed cross-section of a known rotational device;

FIG. 2 a schematical partial view comprising nested adjusting sleeves of a first preferred embodiment of the rotational device of the invention according to FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 a partial lateral view of the first preferred and exemplary embodiment of the rotational device of the invention;

FIG. 4 a partial view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 a view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 seen in the direction of arrow V in FIG. 3 or FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 a lateral view of a preferred second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 a view of the second embodiment of FIG. 6 seen in direction of arrow VII in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 a perspective partly cut out partial view of a section comprising nested adjusting frames of the second embodiment of the invention of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 a detailed view of FIG. 8 comprising an inner disc of an inner adjusting frame;

FIG. 10 a detailed view cut out of FIG. 8 with a middle disc of a middle adjusting frame;

FIG. 11 a detailed view cut out of FIG. 8 with an outer disc of an outer adjusting frame;

FIG. 12 a lateral cross-section of the detailed view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 13 a top-down view of the detailed view of FIG. 12 seen in direction of the arrow XIII in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 a schematic partial view with nested adjusting sleeves of a third preferred embodiment of the rotational device of the invention;

FIG. 15 a schematic partial view with nested adjusting sleeves of a fourth preferred embodiment of the rotational device of the invention;

FIG. 16 a schematic partial view with four nested adjusting sleeves of a fifth preferred embodiment of the rotational device of the invention;

FIG. 1 shows a detailed cross-section view of a rotational device being known from WO 2007/082506 the content of which is incorporated here by reference. Referring to FIG. 1, a main rotating means 3 or main rotational body of the known rotational device is mounted between two stationary supporting cheeks 4 and 5 interconnected by bars 6 for rotation about its central rotary shaft M continuously extending. The main rotating means 3 is defined laterally by one or more rotational cheeks 7 and 8 having circular area, being spaced away from each other, and being rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. A rotational surface rotary shaft 1.1 of the rotational surface 1 or vane and a rotational surface rotary shaft 2.1 of the rotational surface 2 are rotatable mounted in the rotational cheeks 7 and 8. The rotational surface rotary shafts 1.1 and 2.1 are arranged parallel to and spaced away from the central rotary shaft M and they are located more in the vicinity of the edges of the disc-shaped rotational cheeks 7 and 8.

A rotary shaft gear 1.2 and a rotary shaft gear 2.2 rigidly or fixedly connected to the assigned rotary shaft are mounted on the extensions of the rotational surface rotary shafts 1.1 and 2.1, respectively. Each of the rotary shaft gears 1.2 and 2.2 is coupled via an adapter gear 1.3 to a pivoting gear 9 in a ratio 1:1 which is rotationally arranged on the central rotary shaft M and capable of performing a motion relative to the central rotary shaft M. The toothed pivoting gear 9 on the central rotary shaft M is thus not rigidly connected to the rotary shaft M radially.

Adjustment, rotation or radial position of the pivoting gear 9 is determined by adjusting means 10 or a controller of the rotational device. The adjusting means 10 is coupled via the pivoting gear 9, the adapter gears 1.3, and the rotary shaft gears 1.1 or 2.1 as pivoting or reciprocating drive to the rotational surfaces 1 and 2 to permit adjusting their angles relative to the flowing direction of the fluid. This adjusting motion of the rotational surfaces 1 and 2 can be generated by a pivoting or reciprocating motion of the pivoting gear 9 by e.g. mechanical curve means or by an electric drive.

In a preferred realization, the adjusting means 10 has a controlling curve 11 with a controlling cam 12, the controlling curve 11 being rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. In addition, the adjusting means 10 comprises a pivoting rod 13 with a pivoting roller 14 which follows the controlling curve 11. The motion of the controlling curve 11 is transferred via the pivoting rod 13 and a thrust link 15 to the pivoting gear 9, which results in locally synchronized controlling of angle adjustment of rotational surfaces 1 and 2.

Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, there is illustrated a first, preferred and exemplary embodiment of the invention.

The preferred rotational device 71 of the invention is designed for independent or individual adjustment of three rotational surfaces or vanes relative to flowing direction of the fluid and it has the same configuration as the rotational device of FIG. 1, with the exception of the pivoting means for adjusting independently on each other the positions of the rotational surfaces. Same features of both rotational devices are thus shown in the figures with the same reference signs.

FIG. 3 represents a lateral overall view partly in cross-section of a first preferred rotational device 71 of the invention, whereas FIG. 2 shows the part of the rotational device 71 in separated illustration which particularly comprises three adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53 nested with each other.

The rotational device 71 comprises like the rotational device of FIG. 1 main rotating means 3 being mounted between two supporting cheeks 4 and 5 stationary interconnected by bars 6 for rotation about a central rotary shaft M continuously extending between the supporting cheeks or plates 4 and 5. The main rotating means 3 is defined laterally by one or more rotational cheeks or plates 7 and 8 having circular area, being spaced away from each other, and being rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. Three rotational surface shafts 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 are mounted for rotation in the rotational cheeks 7, 8 on a virtual circular path in equal distance to each other, each of the rotational surfaces is connected rigidly to a rotational surface 1, 2 of three rotational surfaces in total, the third rotational surface is not shown in the figures. The three rotational surface shafts 1.1, 2.1, 3.1 are arranged in the rotational device 71 in parallel and in distance to central rotary shaft M and they are rather at the edges of the pair of disc-shaped rotational cheeks 7, 8.

A respective one of the rotational shaft gears 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 is arranged on the three rotational surface shafts 1.1, 2.1 and 3.1, respectively, wherein the three rotational shaft gears 1.2, 2.2, 3.2 are rigidly connected to the assigned rotational shaft 1.1, 2.1, 3.1.

The first rotational shaft gear 2.1 of the first rotational shaft 1.1 corresponding to the first rotational surface is engaged in the first pivoting wheel 41, e.g. a segment gear, which is connected to the first relatively elongated adjusting sleeve 51. The first inner adjusting sleeve 51 is arranged around the central rotary shaft M in a freely rotatable manner and thus it is not fixed thereto. More precisely, the first adjusting sleeve 51 has an annular flange 51.1 extending on the outer circumference of the adjusting sleeve and being fixedly connected to the first pivoting wheel 41 that in turn is freely rotatable around the central rotary shaft M and mounted on the central rotary shaft M by means of e.g. a bearing 41.1 or ball bearing. The first pivoting wheel 41 is thus not rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M in radial direction. At its opposite end without flange, the first adjusting sleeve 51 is rigidly connected to a first adjusting or actuating member 61, e.g. a segment gear, of a first adjusting means 10.1, the configuration thereof corresponds, for instance, to the configuration of the adjusting means 10 of FIG. 1.

A pitching, rotation or radial position of the first pivoting wheel 41 is determined by the first adjusting means or controlling means of the rotational device 71. The first adjusting means 10.1 is coupled to the first rigid rotational surface 1 via the first adjusting member 61, the first adjusting sleeve 51, the first pivoting wheel 41, an adapter gear 1.3 or intermediate gear, the rotational shaft gear 1.2, and the rotational shaft 1.1 to be able to adjust its position in angle or pitch with regard to the flowing direction of the fluid. This pitching motion of the rotational surface 1 can be effected by a pivoting motion or reciprocating motion of the first pivoting wheel 41 by means of a mechanical curve member 11 or an electric drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the first adjusting means 10.1 comprises a first controlling curve having a controlling cam, the controlling curve is rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. In addition, the first adjusting means 10.1 a pivoting rod 13 movable in reciprocating manner and comprising a pivoting roller 14 that scans or follows the first controlling curve. The motion of the first controlling curve is transferred from the pivoting rod 13 and the thrust means 15 (see FIG. 1) and the adjusting member 61 via the adjusting sleeve 51 to the first pivoting wheel 41 to control the angle pitching of the first rotational surface 1.

The second rotational shaft gear 2.2 of the second rotational shaft 2.1 corresponding to the second rotational surface 2 is coupled via an adapter gear 2.3 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) to a second pivoting wheel 42 that in turn is rigidly connected to the second elongated adjusting sleeve 52 at its end via an annular flange 52.1 projecting vertically from the outer circumference of the sleeve, and that is mounted on the first adjusting sleeve 51, again e.g. by a bearing 42.1 or ball bearing in a freely rotatable manner around the first adjusting sleeve 51. The second pivoting wheel 42 thus is not rigidly connected to the first adjusting sleeve 51 in radial direction. The second adjusting sleeve 52 is shorter than the first adjusting sleeve 51. The second middle or intermediate adjusting sleeve 52 is arranged around the first adjusting means 51 in a freely rotatable manner. At the opposite end without flange, the second adjusting sleeve 52 is connected rigidly to a second adjusting member 62 of second adjusting means 10.2.

A pitching, rotation or radial position of the second pivoting wheel 42 is determined by the second adjusting means 10.2 or controlling means of the rotational device 71. The second adjusting means 10.2, which has quite the same configuration and function as the first adjusting means 10.1 or 10 in FIG. 1, is coupled to the second rigid rotational surface 2 via the second adjusting member 62, the second adjusting sleeve 52, the second pivoting wheel 42, the adapter gear 2.3, the rotational shaft gear 2.2, and the rotational shaft 2.1 to be able to adjust the position of the second surface in angle or pitch with regard to the flowing direction of the fluid. This pitching motion of rotational surface 2 can be effected by a pivoting motion or reciprocating motion of the second pivoting wheel 42 by means of a mechanical curve member of the second adjusting means 10.2 or by means of an electric drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the second adjusting means 10.2 comprises a second controlling curve 11 which may be different to the first controlling curve 11 and which has a controlling cam, the second controlling curve 11 is rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. In addition, the second adjusting means 10.2 has a pivoting rod 13 comprising a pivoting roller 14 that follows the second controlling curve. The motion of the second controlling curve 11 is transferred from the pivoting rod 13 and the thrust means 15 (see FIG. 1) and the adjusting member 62 via the adjusting sleeve 52 to the second pivoting wheel 42 to control the angle pitching of the second rotational surface 2.

The third rotational shaft gear 3.2 of the third rotational shaft 3.1 corresponding to the third rotational surface is coupled to a third pivoting wheel 43 that in turn is rigidly connected to a terminal flange 53.1 of the third adjusting sleeve 53. Also the third outer adjusting sleeve 53 is mounted around the outer circumference of the second adjusting sleeve 52 in freely rotatable manner and thus it is not fixed to the sleeve 52. Again, the third pivoting wheel 43 is mounted on the second adjusting sleeve 52 e.g. by a bearing 43.1 or ball bearing in a freely rotatable manner around the second adjusting sleeve 52. The third pivoting wheel 43 thus is not rigidly connected to the second adjusting sleeve 52 in radial direction. The third adjusting sleeve 53 is shorter than the second adjusting sleeve 52. At the opposite end without flange, the third adjusting sleeve 53 is connected rigidly to an adjusting member 63 of third adjusting means 10.3.

A pitching, rotation or radial position of the third pivoting wheel 43 is determined by the third adjusting means 10.3 or controlling means of the rotational device 71. The third adjusting means 10.3, which has quite the same configuration and function as the first or second adjusting means 10.1, 10.2, is coupled to the third rigid rotational surface via the third adjusting member 63, the third adjusting sleeve 53, the second pivoting wheel 43, the third adapter gear 3.3, the rotational shaft gear 3.2, and the rotational shaft 3.1 to be able to adjust the position of the third rotational surface in angle or pitch with regard to the flowing direction of the fluid. This pitching motion of the third rotational surface can be effected by a pivoting motion or reciprocating motion of the third pivoting wheel 43 by means of a mechanical curve member of the third adjusting means 10.3 or by means of an electric drive.

In a preferred embodiment, the third adjusting means 10.3 comprises a third controlling curve 11 which may be different to the first and second controlling curves 11 and which has a controlling cam, the second controlling curve 11 is rigidly connected to the central rotary shaft M. In addition, the third adjusting means 10.3 has a pivoting rod 13 being moveable in a reciprocating manner and comprising a pivoting roller 14 that follows the third controlling curve. The motion of the third controlling curve is transferred from the pivoting rod 13 and the thrust means 15 and the adjusting member 63 via the adjusting sleeve 53 to the third pivoting wheel 43 to control the angle pitching of the third rotational surface.

Using the three above mentioned pivoting means being nested, the positions of three rotational surfaces can be adjusted independently from each other to obtain an optimal effectiveness of the rotational device. The adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53 are arranged and freely rotatable around the central rotary shaft M of the rotational device 71 in a nested manner in order to achieve a compact configuration of the rotational device 71. The compact configuration does provide only small disturbance of the flowing fluid and it avoids imbalances during rotation of the rotational device 71 of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows that an angle between the central line of the rotational surface shaft 1.1, the central line of the central rotary shaft M, and the central line of the rotational surface shaft 2.1 amounts to 120°. In addition, the angle between the central line of the rotational surface shaft 1.1, the central line of the central rotary shaft M, and the central line of the rotational surface shaft 3.1 amounts to 120° too. An angle between the central line of the rotational surface shaft 3.1, the central line of the central rotary shaft M, and the central line of the rotational surface shaft 2.1 amounts also to 120°.

FIG. 14 shows a lateral schematical partial view in cross-section of a forth embodiment of the invention which is different to the embodiment of FIG. 3 essentially in the modified configuration of the pivoting means of the main rotating means 3 of FIG. 3.

The pivoting means 91 of the main rotating means 71.1 of the embodiment of FIG. 14 again is configured for driving of three rotational surfaces 1, 2 and, therefore, it comprises an inner adjusting sleeve 51, an intermediate or middle adjusting sleeve 52, and an outer adjusting sleeve 53, a first pivoting wheel 41 flanged on the elongated adjusting sleeve 51, a second pivoting wheel 42 flanged on the adjusting sleeve 52, and a third pivoting means 43 flanged on the adjusting sleeve 53. However, in difference to the embodiment of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the inner adjusting sleeve 51 is not directly mounted on the central rotary shaft M, but it is mounted by means of a bearing 51.10 or ball bearing on the surface or the outer circumference of the central rotary shaft M to maintain a distance between the inner side of the adjusting sleeve 51 and the outer side of the central rotary shaft M. The pivoting wheel 41 is mounted on the central rotary shaft M by means of a further bearing 51.11 or ball bearing which results in an overall mounting of the unit comprising pivoting wheel 41, assigned adjusting sleeve 51, and terminal adjusting member 61 on the central rotary shaft M of the main rotating means 71.1 in the regions of the ends of the adjusting sleeve 51 by the bearings 51.10 and 51.11.

The middle adjusting sleeve 52 is mounted on the outer circumference or surface of the adjusting sleeve 51 nearby to the coupled adjusting member 62. The further mounting at the opposite end of the adjusting sleeve 52 is again provided by a bearing 52.11 which mounts the pivoting wheel 42 on the outer surface of the adjusting sleeve 51, the pivoting wheel 42 is flanged fixedly on the adjusting sleeve 52. Using the mount, again a distance is maintained between the inner side of the adjusting sleeve 52 and the outer circumference or side of the adjusting sleeve 51 such that a rotation of the adjusting sleeve 52 around the adjusting sleeve 51 is obtained with only little friction.

The shortest adjusting sleeve 53 is mounted around the adjusting sleeve 52 and thus also around the central rotary shaft M in freely rotatable manner by means of a further bearing 53.10 or ball bearing on the outer circumference of the adjusting means 52 nearby the adjusting member 63.

Additionally, also the pivoting wheel 43 is mounted on the outer surface of the pivoting sleeve 52 by means of a further bearing 53.11 or ball bearing, the pivoting wheel 43 is flanged on the adjusting sleeve 53 rigidly and fixedly. A distance is also maintained between the inner circumference of the adjusting sleeve 53 and the outer circumference or surface of the adjusting sleeve 52

FIG. 15 shows a further modified embodiment of the invention which is different to the embodiment of FIG. 14 in a modified pivoting means 91.1 of a main rotating means 71.2. The pivoting means 91.1 again has three pivoting wheels 41, 42, 43 for adjusting or actuating corresponding three rotational surfaces, assigned adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53, and adjusting members 61, 62, 63 rigidly connected to the corresponding adjusting sleeves. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 14, however, the additional bearings 51.12, 51.13, and 52.12 are provided. The bearing 51.13 supports additionally the adjusting sleeve 51 against the central rotary shaft M nearby the pivoting wheel 43. The additional bearing 51.12 supports or mounts the inner adjusting sleeve 51 additionally on the adjusting sleeve 51. Thus a set of bearings comprising the bearings 51.12, 52.12, and 53.11 is provided nearby the pivoting wheel 43. A further set of bearings comprising the bearings 51.13 and 52.11 is provided nearby or in the region of the pivoting wheel 42. The additional bearings 51.12, 52.12, and 51.13 prevent a too strong deflection of the adjusting sleeves under load.

FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention in a partial view showing particularly pivoting means 91.2 of a main rotating means 71.3 which is assembled to have five rotational surfaces or vanes overall. The pivoting means 91.2 thus comprises a set of pivoting wheels having the pivoting wheels 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, correspondingly assigned adjusting sleeves 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, and also correspondingly assigned adjusting members 61, 62, 63, 64, 65.

The pivoting wheel 41 is rigidly fixed to the assigned adjusting sleeve 51 at a terminal flange 51.20. However, in contrast to the embodiments of FIG. 14 and FIG. 15, the flange 51.20 has an additional annular step 51.21 by which an adjacent bearing, here, for instance, the bearing 52.31, is defined vertically or stopped. The bearing 52.31 is defined in addition by the adjacent flange 52.21 in its vertical position. Further, on the inner circumferences of tubular adjusting sleeves, there are provided projections or supporting rings at certain positions or locations which define the vertical positions of the adjacent bearings. Accordingly, for instance, the bearing or ball bearing 51.41 is defined and supported in its vertical position on the central rotary shaft M by means of the supporting rings 51.42 and 51.43. The other flanges of the adjusting sleeves 52, 53, and 54 are provided similarly or identically to the flange 51.20 with a step 51.21.

Referring to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown and explained. This rotational device has a stationary frame 75, in which main rotating means 76 of the rotational device are supported rotatable.

The main rotating means 76 has again a pivoting means 77, rotational cheeks 76.1 and 76.2, three rotational surfaces 81, 82, 83, assigned rotational surface shafts 81.6, 82.1, 83.1, corresponding rotational shaft wheels 81.7, 82.2, and 83.2 fixed rigidly to the assigned rotational shafts. The rotational shafts 81.6, 82.1, and 83.1 extend between the rotational cheeks 76.1 and 76.2 which are parallel to each other, which stay normally to the center lines of the rotational shafts, and in which the rotational shafts are mounted rotatable. By rotation of the rotational shaft wheels 81.7, 82.2, and 83.2, the angle position of the corresponding rotational surfaces 81, 82, and 83 to the flowing direction of the fluid can again be adjusted optimally along a circular path of the rotational surfaces 81, 82, and 83.

The pivoting means 77 is configured in this exemplary embodiment for individual adjusting or rotational pitching of the three rotational surfaces 81, 82, and 83. As shown particularly in the perspective detailed view of FIG. 8 and in the related cross-section view of FIG. 12, the pivoting means 77 comprises a nested and thus compact configuration around a central rotary shaft 79. Three elongated adjusting or actuating frames are 79.1, 80.1, 81.1 are mounted on the central rotary shaft 79 at their respective ends by means of appropriate bearings or ball bearings and they are freely rotatable around the central rotary shaft 79 at least for predetermined angles independently from each other and from the central rotary shaft 79 around the central symmetry line thereof in a nested manner. The inner first adjusting frame 79.1 comprises an upper adjusting ring 79.2 or disc that, for instance, is coupled to the adjusting means 10 of FIG. 1, an intermediate ring 79.6 or intermediate disc, and, for instance, three bars 79.7 arranged equidistantly in angle to each other, having a circular cross-section, and extending between the adjusting ring 79.2 and the intermediate ring 79.6. A second middle adjusting frame 80.1 is arranged around the first adjusting frame 79.1 and comprises again an adjusting ring 80.2 mounted on the central rotary shaft 79 beneath the adjusting ring 79.2 and coupled to, for instance, a further adjusting means 10 at the extension shown, an intermediate ring 80.4, and three bars 80.3 extending again upright and equidistantly in parallel to each other between the adjusting ring 80.1 and the intermediate ring 80.4. A third outer adjusting frame 81.1 is mounted freely rotatable around the middle adjusting frame 80.1 on the central rotary shaft 79 and comprises again an adjusting ring 81.2 coupled to, for instance, a further adjusting means 10 at the extension shown, a lower intermediate ring 81.4, and three parallel bars 81.3 configured identically, extending between the adjusting ring 81.2 and the intermediate ring 81.4, connected fixedly and rigidly to them, and being arranged equidistantly to each other. The central symmetry lines of all bars of the three adjusting frames extend in parallel to the central symmetry line of the central rotary shaft 79.

The intermediate ring 80.4 of the adjusting frame 80.1 comprises three continuously extending radial elongated holes 80.5 as openings. Each of the bars 79.3 of the inner first frame 79.1 extends through a respective one of these radial elongated holes 80.5 that, therefore, allow a rotational motion of the adjusting frame 79.1. The intermediate ring 81.4 of the adjusting frame 80.1 has three identically configured radial elongated holes 81.5 passing through the intermediate ring 81.4. A respective bar 80.3 of the middle adjusting frame 80.1 and a respective bar 79.3 of the inner first adjusting frame 79.1 pass or extend through a respective radial elongated hole 81.5 to allow rotational motion or rotational stroke of the adjacent adjusting frames 79.1 and 80.1. The adjusting ring 81.2 of the adjusting frame 81.1 also has radial elongated holes (not shown) that correspond to the radial elongated holes 81.5 of the intermediate ring 81.4 of the adjusting frame 81.1. The adjusting ring 80.2 of the adjusting frame 80.1 also has radial elongated holes that correspond to the radial elongated holes 80.5 of the intermediate ring 80.4 of the adjusting frame 80.1.

The three adjusting frames 79.1, 80.1, 81.1 are extended beneath the intermediate rings 79.6, 80.4, 81.4 being mounted on the central rotary shaft 79 by means of bearings and they pass into three respective adjusting sleeves or frame extensions 78.3 whereon a respective one of pivoting wheels 78 is provided at each end which are freely rotatable arranged around a further shaft 78.7 or around nested adjusting sleeves 78.3 in corresponding number. Each of the pivoting wheels 78 is coupled via a toothed belt 78.1, a belt, a chain or a rope or cable to the respective rotational shaft wheel 81.7, 82.2, 83.2 to be able to turn the respective rotational shaft 81.6, 82.1, 83.1 and thus to adjust the angle of the respective rotational surface 81, 82, 83 being provided on the respective shaft.

In the following one of the three drives will be described as an example to explain the functional principle. For example, the controlling motion generated by the adjusting means 10 is transferred to the adjusting frame 79.1 since the adjusting means 10 is coupled to an extension of the related adjusting ring 79.2 in force-fit manner. A rotational motion of the adjusting frame 79.1 around the central rotary shaft 79 is transferred from the adjusting frame 79.1, i.e. via the adjusting ring 79.1, the bars 79.3, and the intermediate ring 79.6, to the adjusting sleeve 78.3, the bars 79.3 shift in the radial elongated holes 80.5 of the intermediate ring 80.4 and in the radial elongated holes 81.5 of the intermediate 81.4 seen in radial direction. The rotational motion is transferred from the adjusting sleeve 78.3 to the freely rotatable pivoting wheel 78 that in turn is coupled via the toothed belt 78.1 to the rotational shaft wheel 81.7 of the rotational shaft 81.6, the toothed belt 78.1 extends around the pivoting wheel 78, the rotational shaft wheel 81.7, and a deflection pulley 78.2 in a closed or infinite loop. The rotational shaft wheel 81.7 an thus also the rotational shaft 81.6 are turned by the motion of the toothed belt 78.1, whereby the rotational surface 81 changes its angle position in relation to the flowing direction of the fluid accordingly.

The independent drives of the rotational surfaces 82 and 83 are configured and used analogously to the just explained and described drive of the rotational surface 81. As particularly explained in FIG. 7, the central lines of the rotational shafts 81.6, 82.1, and 83.1 follow the same circular line, an angle of each two succeeding central lines of the rotational shafts amounts to 120°.

It should be mentioned yet that the lower rotational cheek 76.2 is mounted rotatable on a shaft stub 79.9 that in turn is coupled rigidly to the stationary frame 75 of the rotational device of the invention shown in FIG. 6. Further it should be explained yet that the part of the pivoting means 77 as shown in FIG. 8 is encapsulated by a housing 78.17 and it is arranged above e.g. water surface that is indicated by the line W in FIG. 6.

It should be referred to that the features and principals of the above mentioned and explained embodiments shown in the figures may be combined with each other as required.

Particularly, for instance, the shown and described features of the embodiments of FIG. 14, FIG. 15, and FIG. 16 can be combined or to be used in the embodiment of the invention according to FIG. 3. 

1. Rotational device for use in a fluid to extract energy from a moving fluid stream or to convert energy into a motion of a fluid comprising main rotating means which is fixedly connected to a central rotary shaft (M) of the rotational device (71), one or more rotational surfaces coupled rotatable about their rotational surface shafts or rotor blade shafts spaced away from the central rotary shaft (M) to the main rotating means such that the main rotating means can execute by at least one rotational surface or by a plurality of rotational surfaces a rotational motion about the central rotary shaft (M), the rotational surface shafts extending parallel to the central rotary shaft of the main rotating means, characterized by pivoting means or controlling means being provided to control or adjust the position of the rotational surface(s) relative to a direction of the moving fluid stream, comprising a respective adjusting sleeve (51, 52, 53) and/or an adjusting frame (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) for each rotational surface, the adjusting sleeve and/or adjusting frame is arranged freely rotatable about the central rotary shaft (M), but it is not connected in fixed or force-fit manner to the central rotary shaft (M) radially, and being coupled to a respective rotational surface to transfer its pivoting movement to the rotational surface for adjusting the rotational surface.
 2. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting means comprise a controlling cam fixedly coupled to the central rotary shaft (M) of the main rotating means and to the adjusting sleeve (51, 52, 53) or the adjusting frame (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) and transferring its motion to a rotational motion of the related rotational surface.
 3. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting means comprises an electric drive for adjusting the angle of the rotational surface as a function of the rotational position of the main rotating means via the related adjusting sleeve or the related adjusting frame.
 4. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting means adjusts a neutral position of the corresponding rotational surface in relation to the direction of the fluid stream by means of the adjusting sleeve or the corresponding adjusting frame in which the rotational surface does not exert any torque on the main rotating means.
 5. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized by a pivoting wheel (41, 42, 43) freely rotatable mounted, but not rigidly or positively connected radially to the central rotary shaft, and coupled to the rotational surface concerned via a drive or transmission.
 6. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the pivoting means or adjusting means comprises a controlling curve being provided on the central rotary shaft (M).
 7. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that several rotational surfaces and adjusting sleeves (51, 52, 53) and/or adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) in equal number are provided, each rotational surface is coupled to a respective adjusting sleeve or respective adjusting frame.
 8. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that several rotational surfaces and pivoting wheels (41, 42, 43) of equal number are provided, each of the rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective pivoting wheel.
 9. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that several rotational surfaces and adjusting members (61, 62, 63) in equal number are provided, each rotational surface is coupled to a respective adjusting member.
 10. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that several rotational surfaces and controlling curves in equivalent number are provided, each of the rotational surfaces is coupled to a respective one of the controlling curves.
 11. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of rotational surfaces (1, 2) and adjusting sleeves (51, 52, 53) and/or adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) in equal number are provided, each of the rotational surfaces (1, 2) is coupled to a respective adjusting sleeve (51, 52, 53) or to a respective adjusting frame.
 12. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of adjusting sleeves (51, 52, 53) or adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1 81.1) are nested into each other and arranged around the central rotational shaft (M).
 13. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the position or pitch of the respective rotational surface to the flowing direction of fluid or medium is adjusted by means of the pivoting means or controlling means such that a relative velocity between the flowing fluid and rotational surface concerned is constant or is optimally adjusted on a circular trajectory.
 14. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that a distance or free space is maintained between an adjusting sleeve and the central rotary shaft (M) next to it, and that a distance or free space is maintained between adjusting sleeves being next to each other.
 15. Rotational device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the adjusting frame (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) comprises several rings (79.2, 80.2, 81.2; 79.6, 80.4, 81.4) or discs arranged parallel to each other and several bars (79.3, 80.3, 81.3) extending between the rings or discs.
 16. Rotational device as set forth in claim 15, characterized in that the rings (80.4, 81.4) or discs of the adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) comprise openings or radial elongated holes (80.5, 81.5) through which a respective bar or several bars of an adjusting frame arranged next or of several adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) arranged next extends or extend.
 17. Rotational device as set forth in claim 15, characterized in that the nested adjusting sleeves or adjusting frames (79.1, 80.1, 81.1) are coupled to a respective pivoting wheel (78) being coupled to the corresponding rotational surface (81) via a rope, belt, or chain drive {78.1, 78.2). 